Since the first game was released, the success of the Grand Theft Auto series has been one outstanding game after another, and it has proven to be one of the most well-known gaming franchises ever created. With each title released, it is a great leap not only for the franchise, but for video gaming itself. There's no question that GTA is up there when it comes to the Sandbox genre, and those who've played it knows the reason why. GTA4 is the 9th game off of the series and will continue on with where GTA 3 left off. However, the series has given gamers with an entirely new experience with each game, and fans can certainly expect the same with GTA IV.



A common denominator among every GTA story has been that it is, to a certain extent, highly absorbing and out of this world. However, with GTA 4, it aims to take the storyline to a whole new vantage point. In this game, players will get to immerse in the persona of Niko Bellic, who is a former soldier wanting to escape a troubled past, not knowing that more trouble await him in Liberty City. Niko does not have trouble fitting in because of his rugged and rough appearance, and here is where all the fun of exploring Liberty City starts. GTA4 digresses from the highly volatile nature of past GTA characters; instead making it more objective-laden, which in turn makes this game a more absorbing play. Characteristic of the previous games off the series are the random acts of violence springing from out of nowhere, but with GTA 4 Niko must accomplish certain tasks and that is the main priority here.

As for the other characters (even random ones) that are in GTA 4, they have improved significance as far as storyline is concerned in this game. When Niko makes certain decisions, he will be forced to put into consideration certain characters and how that decision will be beneficial (or not) to him later on in the game. Meanwhile, building relationships is a key in this game and unlike other GTA games, you will have to think them through.

More than the impressive gameplay, Liberty City is the perfect setting for an incredible game like GTA 4 and it just looks impressively stunning. Not only will you have access to various locations within the game, but everything looked like much effort has been rendered in order to achieve such perfection in details.

But that is not all that Grand Theft Auto IV has to offer. It has used the previous GTA games as a launching pad for a much better and improved gameplay system. Probably one of the best features in GTA IV is the combat system. There's definitely more excitement into the game with a few very efficient feature that gamers can use to their advantage. There is still the free-aim feature, but the new lock-on feature will surely improve your accuracy. By setting your aim on an opponent, you are sure to hit right where your aim is. And by a simple press of the corresponding button, you will see your enemies blasting to pieces. There is also a new cover system in this game. You can make your character go behind or take cover from the nearest object by pressing on R1. It is recommended to use this feature when confronted with multiple enemies and you would be able to effectively shield yourself from any possible attack. What this new feature does is that you can minimize the any form of damage that can possibly get your character killed. These new features certainly help to upgrade the level of gaming experience that gamers were already expecting of a Grand Theft Auto game.

If this made you excited, hold that for a second because there's still the new in-car combat system. With a great lineup of combat tools at your disposal, it is amazing how this new feature can be utilized to your advantage and yet it is nothing less as effective as your regular on-foot combat. You can drive your car while knocking down your enemies at the same time. You still have the option for a free-aim though, it's basically your choice. If before, getting to shoot someone while you're driving proved to be quite a task, this time around everything is so much better. All these efforts of improving the game play mechanics is done to live up and even surpass fans' expectation of what GTA IV can deliver.

One important thing that needs to be tackled when talking about GTA IV is the mission structure. With the success of previous GTA games, this game utilizes that winning formula to its advantage. With each mission, you will have all of Liberty City to explore and you can be assured that each mission will offer a unique, but equally challenging, experience. The missions in GTA IV are not just action-packed, there are more to expect from it especially in terms of novelty and intensity.

Once you arrive in Liberty City, you will now have Roman's phone. This will be used as your control panel and can be a source of information on what needs to be done to get the game going. Through your phone, you can receive calls or messages for new missions, as well as access the multiplayer features, that will help you advance in this game. Using the phone as a means of control for players on the characters in the game is a smart way to guise the illusion of the players having complete control of the action taking place in the game.

And with that being mentioned, GTA IV also boasts of a new online multiplayer feature. This will enable you to share the wonderful experience of playing GTA IV with 15 other players and this will alter the way you have anticipated GTA IV to be. But GTA IV is determined to reign supreme among those considered epic games (like Call of Duty 4 and Rainbow Six Vegas) as the king of Multiplayer by infusing some more unique game modes.